In this publication we want to compare the conditions for registering a marriage in Mexico City (CDMX) and in Cancun (and in general in the state of Quintana Roo). It is in these two cities of Mexico that we receive the largest number of applications to organize the official registration of marriage between foreigners. The rules for registering marriage are determined by the legislation of each specific state of Mexico, which is why they are so different.
In fact, there is nothing complicated about registering a marriage either in Mexico City or in Cancun. Quick marriage is allowed in both places. It’s just that if you had time to prepare documentation before coming to Mexico, you are able to register your marriage in Mexico City. In particular, we can translate birth certificates from an official translator using scanned copies before your arrival. If you decided to register your marriage at the last moment, then Cancun is your only destination. For some, the criterion for choosing a city may be the place of residence of the groom, or for some it is closer to fly to Mexico City, and for others it is more convenient to fly to Cancun.
For clarity, we have summarized the standards and results of marriage registration in Mexico City and Cancun into one table. There are no hidden requirements.
If the newlyweds have apostilled birth certificates, the marriage can be concluded in Mexico City; all other requirements can be bypassed. If there are no birth certificates or there is no apostille on them, you can only register the marriage in Cancun.
| Mexico City | Cancun |
| Passport | |
| yes | yes |
| Birth certificate | |
| yes, with apostille if foreign | no |
| Translation of birth certificate | |
| yes, from the official translator of Mexico | — |
| Document confirming the absence of another marriage | |
| for Mexican citizens only | for Mexican citizens only |
| Blood test | |
| no | yes, valid 15 days |
| Witnesses | |
| no | yes, 4 witnesses |
| Proof of local residential address | |
| yes | no |
| Valid FMM migration form or resident card | |
| yes | no |
| Listen to the «young family course» | |
| yes, they issue a certificate | No |
| Extract from the register of alimony debts | |
| for Mexican citizens only | yes, regardless of citizenship |
| Data on the marriage certificate is transferred from: | |
| birth certificates | passports |
| Number of copies of marriage certificate | |
| 1 or more with surcharge | 1 or more with surcharge |
| Apostille on marriage certificate | |
| from 2 working days | from 4 working days |
Other requirements are also possible. For example, if you have different last names on your birth certificate and in your passport, you need an additional document explaining the change in last name. It also needs to be apostilled. In some cases, its presence can be circumvented by agreeing with the registrar, but then you need to make sure that the data on the marriage certificate is transferred from the passport. Usually, filling out forms in registry offices is not done by the judges themselves, but by their assistants, who are not very versed in foreign documents.
In addition, it is important to ensure that when translating a birth certificate, the translator omits the middle name, otherwise it will appear on the marriage certificate as a middle name. The first and last name after translation must fully correspond to the last name in the international passport. Typically, official translators in Mexico City do not omit the middle name when translating, so you will also need a certificate from the consulate explaining that the middle name — it's not a middle name.
Some states require that the parents of the newlyweds be included on the marriage certificate, but not as witnesses, but as parents. Typically, getting married in Mexico does not include the parents' names on the marriage certificate. However, if required, the judge may use a different, longer form of marriage certificate, in which the names of the parents will be transferred from the newlyweds' birth certificates.
If you need help registering your marriage in Mexico City or Cancun, we can arrange everything before you arrive. Our offers «all inclusive» cover all expenses that you would have to incur. In Mexico City, we will help you register your marriage, even if you do not have the original birth certificate or do not have an apostille stamp on it.